The council is responsible for the erection and maintenance of road signs on the public highway although their provision is subject to national legislation and guidance contained in The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 document to achieve consistency across the country. All requests will be subject to a site visit to ensure that any further provision meets the criteria set out in the document.

We have a policy where keep clear or ‘H-bar’ markings will only be provided where the access is within 3 or 4 houses of a retail outlet that attracts frequent short term parking. If the access meets the criteria then a charge of £85 is made which can be taken at any Customer Service Centre or by cheque / credit card by contacting the relevant Area Office. You can apply for new road markings online (opens in new window).

Yes. It is a criminal offence under the Highways Act 1980 to place such signs on the public highway (including road, footpath and verge) which includes staking them into the verge or attaching them to street lights, road signs, trees or any other structure on the highway. This is commonly known as ‘fly posting’. Such signs are regarded as an obstruction, nuisance or danger to highway users which could be a contributing factor towards a road traffic accident. We may remove all such signs and the costs incurred in doing so can be recovered from the person responsible for placing them. Fixed Penalty Notices of £75 per sign can also be issued for placing illegal signs on the highway. Read more about flyposting and report flyposting online.Top of page

Yes, all roads are inspected regularly. Important ones such as ‘A’ and ‘B’ class and those in town centres are inspected monthly but less important ones are done quarterly and annually. Any lining defects are noted at this time and placed in appropriate programmes for refreshing. You can report concerns about road lines online (opens in new window).

No. It is a criminal offence under the Highways Act 1980 to place such signs on the public highway (including road, footpath and verge) which includes staking them into the verge or attaching them to street lights, road signs, trees or any other structure on the highway. This is commonly known as ‘fly posting’. Such signs are regarded as an obstruction, nuisance or danger to highway users which could be a contributing factor towards a road traffic accident. We may remove all such signs and the costs incurred in doing so can be recovered from the person responsible for placing them. Fixed Penalty Notices of £75 per sign can also be issued for placing illegal signs on the highway. Read more about flyposting.

Experience has shown that providing such lines tends to increase the speed of vehicles on the ‘through’ route as where there are no markings drivers tend to be more cautious and there tends to be fewer accidents, particularly involving pedestrians. Where the particular characteristics of a junction make it difficult to judge who should have right of way then markings are provided.